inquisitiveness

American  

[in-kwiz-i-tiv-nis] / ɪnˈkwɪz ɪ tɪv nɪs /

noun

1. the quality of being given to asking questions; intellectual curiosity or eagerness for knowledge.

   Younger students often have an amazing sense of curiosity and inquisitiveness that naturally leads them into exploring and learning.

2. the quality of being excessively or inappropriately curious about other people’s affairs; nosiness.

   My landlord's inquisitiveness made me determined to seek more desirable accommodations elsewhere.

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Other Word Forms

• superinquisitiveness
  noun
• uninquisitiveness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of inquisitiveness

inquisitive ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Of course she winds up paying for her inquisitiveness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

"But I've got enough creativity and inquisitiveness to find learning opportunities as we go."

From BBC • Dec. 15, 2024

That task could be painful, but Bogle, now 79, had the empathy, even keel and inquisitiveness to pull it off.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2024

I now bear a visual reminder of one creature that sparked my wonder of the natural world, and of those people I cherish because of their inquisitiveness, their science knowledge, integrity and their friendship.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 28, 2023

The Savage meanwhile wandered restlessly round the room, peering with a vague superficial inquisitiveness at the books in the shelves, at the sound-track rolls and reading machine bobbins in their numbered pigeon-holes.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley